It's not you, it's him

Wednesday

Feb 11, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 12, 2009 at 4:56 AM

Even though he apparently doesn't call her enough, Ben Karlin's mom Barbara thinks he's a catch, which is pretty much the gist of "I Think My Son is a Catch," the foreword to his book Things I've Learned From Women Who've Dumped Me.

Even though he apparently doesn't call her enough, Ben Karlin's mom Barbara thinks he's a catch, which is pretty much the gist of "I Think My Son is a Catch," the foreword to his book Things I've Learned From Women Who've Dumped Me.

The collection of humorous essays from the likes of Stephen Colbert, Patton Oswalt and Andy Richter actually had its roots in another medium until it was, poetically, dumped and retooled as a book.

"It started as an idea for a TV show that I pitched to a network a few years back," said Karlin, a former executive producer at The Daily Show and co-creator of The Colbert Report. "They didn't really go for it, but I always liked the concept, and soon convinced myself it was way more appropriate as a book than a TV show. The mind is powerful that way."

Since its release, Karlin said he is often told stories of bad dumpings. Although the details differ, the tales of woe always tend to be thematically alike. "It is one of those things that is universal in one respect, but oh-so-singular in another," he said.

Many of the stories are relatable, including Karlin's own essay about his harsh dumping at the hands of his ex, Jill.

"It definitely didn't lend itself to the best comedy, but I wanted to try and take something really bad and make delicious lemonade out of it," he said. "Unfortunately, I ended up with a citrus beurre blanc, which is still edible, but just not as tasty as lemonade."

Although he claimed to be "morally and contractually obligated to say that the entire book is highlights," Karlin did emphasize the opening essay, Dan Vebber's "Sex is the Most Stressful Things in the History of the Universe."

It follows Vebber's attempts to lose his virginity and the amount of stressful preparation said task entails, which Karlin used as the first essay because it was "the perfect balance of jokes and heart."

With Valentine's Day approaching, Karlin added that the collection should help those couples that may be heading for a dumping, but at a price.

"This book has the power to save your relationship," he said, " but only if you buy multiple copies."